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Doctors Share Gaza's Brutal Reality
13 Aug
Summary
- Three American doctors visited Gaza during a 2025 cease-fire.
- One doctor narrowly escaped bombing after operating on a patient.
- Physicians advocate for medical aid while balancing personal risks.
The documentary "American Doctor" offers a stark look at medical care in Gaza through the eyes of three American physicians. Dr. Mark Perlmutter, Dr. Thaer Ahmad, and Dr. Feroze Sidhwa returned to the region during a fragile cease-fire in early 2025.
During their mission, Dr. Ahmad, an emergency physician, was unable to enter Gaza and remained in Jordan. Perlmutter and Sidhwa, however, worked in a hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza. They performed surgeries, consulted with patients, and interacted with local medical staff.
One physician narrowly avoided a bombing incident after treating a patient who had been injured twice. The film also depicts the doctors at home, speaking on podcasts and lobbying lawmakers for aid, while grappling with the guilt of not staying in the conflict zone.
The doctors, representing diverse backgrounds including Jewish, Muslim, and Zoroastrian heritage, discuss the impact of their advocacy. Dr. Ahmad emphasized his role as a human being and a doctor dedicated to treating anyone in need, a core message of the film.
